The objectives of the course included:

• Provide participants with essential expertise to support national immunisation programmes
• Broaden the understanding of the challenges and opportunities in vaccinology at regional and global levels
• Build sustainable research capacity for vaccine development and conducting high quality phase I-IV vaccine trials in Africa
• Foster communication and networking among African vaccinologists
• Discuss the feasibility of vaccinology e-learning in Africa
• Discuss the roles, challenges and opportunities for capacity building for the NITAG members in Africa

Two half days of the course was devoted to NITAG strengthening (16-17 November 2018). NITAG members from 9 African countries participated, which was a unique opportunity to share country experiences, including achievements and challenges. The course was attended by 62 participants from 30 African countries. Participants included national EPI managers, healthcare workers and basic scientists involved in vaccination programmes and/or vaccinology research in the African Region.

The course was facilitated by 32 faculty members (national and international), all experts in the field of vaccinology coming from academia and industry. NESI was invited by VACFA to lecture on “Vaccination schedules: past, present and future”.

A total of 20 students are enrolled in the second LIVE promotion. 

NESI was invited to give a lecture on 27 September 2018 at the Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, during the third semester of the LIVE programme in the session on “Communication on vaccines and public health”. The lecture focused on the history and rationale of vaccination schedules; role of the NITAGs; and GVAP goals. One student also completed a 6-months internship with NESI working on “Understanding the acceptability and potential barriers of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in selected EMRO countries”.

The aim of the vaccinology course was to equip healthcare professionals with up-to-date knowledge and skills on vaccines and immunisation in order to enable them deal with current and emerging challenges related to the immunisation programme.

The course was delivered through: formal lectures; case studies; debate and discussion; practical demonstration sessions and presentations by participants.

Upon completion of the course, participants were able to:

• Understand the concept and principles of vaccination
• Describe how vaccines work and their side effects
• Describe indications, contraindications, efficacy, and safety of vaccines according to WHO criteria
• Identify, manage and report AEFIs
• Identify ways to improve communication with patients, parents and caregivers about vaccination
• Identify best practices for implementing or improving immunisation programmes
• Understand how to link and partner with other immunisation stakeholders
• Champion and advocate for uptake and promotion of immunisation

The course was attended by 70 participants: the majority of participants were from Uganda, but also participants from neighbouring countries attended the course. NESI was represented by SAVIC, who delivered several presentations and participated in the Question and Answer session.

The workshop explored the current status of HPV vaccine introduction in Eastern Mediterranean countries, gaps in information about HPV disease burden in the region, and the role of NITAGs in new vaccine introduction. The workshop comprised of interactive presentations, round table discussions, country presentations, including sharing of experiences and best practices, and group work.

The key target group included representatives of: Expanded Programme on Immunisation; National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups; Adolescent Health Programme; Non-communicable Disease Programme; School Health Programme; National and international immunisation partners; and other relevant stakeholders.

The objectives of the workshop included:

• To discuss the burden of HPV related diseases, especially cervical cancer, in the Eastern Mediterranean Region;
• To discuss the available HPV vaccines and their use in national immunisation programmes;
• To discuss potential adolescent health interventions to be delivered alongside HPV vaccination;
• To discuss optimal communication strategies for the introduction of HPV vaccination;
• To exchange lessons learnt and best practices regarding new vaccine introduction, especially HPV vaccine, and adolescent health services among participating countries;
• To strengthen national teams of experts in the participating countries to make evidence-based recommendations and decisions to support and advocate for the introduction of HPV vaccination;
• To strengthen the international community to further stimulate discussion and research on cervical cancer, HPV vaccination and adolescent health.

The workshop was attended by 57 delegates, including participants and facilitators. Nominated delegates were from the Ministry of Health and/or NITAG members from the following countries: Jordan, Morocco, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates. Other participants came from academia, national and international organisations, International Islamic Fiqh Academy, Islamic Development Bank, and industry.

Facilitators were from: Cadi Ayyad University, SOMIPEV, GHD/EMPHNET, MoH Oman, WHO/EMRO, WHO/IARC, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Gavi, WHO/Morocco, NESI/University of Antwerp.    

Presentations highlighted key aspects on burden of disease, cervical cancer screening, update on HPV vaccines and cost-effectiveness, delivery platform for HPV vaccination, and effective communication strategies for building public trust in HPV vaccination. The role of the NITAGs in the decision-making process for HPV vaccine introduction was stressed. Experiences of HPV vaccine introduction from other regions were shared by delegates from Indonesia and Senegal.

Two round table discussions addressed: (1) Overcoming hurdles for HPV vaccine introduction and cervical cancer screening, focusing on socio-cultural and religious challenges; and (2) HPV data required to make a decision to introduce HPV vaccine; and monitoring HPV vaccination coverage.

During the final session of the workshop, group work was conducted, addressing the following issues: (a) Status of decision making about HPV vaccine introduction in the participating countries; (b) Any needs for operational research to support the decision-making; (c) Technical and financial support that might be required from partners. Recommendations were made on how to advance the decision-making process for HPV vaccine introduction in the participating countries.

A short workshop summary has been published in the WHO Global Immunization News; November 2018.

The key target group included representatives of: Expanded Programme on Immunisation; National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups; Adolescent Health Programme; Non-communicable Disease Programme; School Health Programme; National and international immunisation partners; and other relevant stakeholders.

A total of 8 countries participated in the round table: Algeria, Djibouti, Gabon, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Senegal and Tunisia. Facilitators were from Cadi Ayyad University, SOMIPEV, WHO/IARC and NESI.

The round table explored the current status of HPV vaccine introduction in the participating countries, gaps in information about HPV disease burden, and the role of NITAGs in new vaccine introduction. The meeting comprised of interactive presentations and country presentations including sharing of experiences and best practices, followed by a plenary discussion.